Answering More Questions on Catholicism
By Paul R. Blake
Question: “What is your opinion of the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation?”
Answer: I am happy to answer your question; however, as I’ve said before, I don’t do opinion, but I will contrast the doctrine of transubstantiation against what is written in scripture. It is defined as: “the doctrine of the change of substance or essence by which the bread and wine offered in the sacrifice of the sacrament of the Eucharist during the Mass, become, in reality, the body and blood of Jesus Christ while retaining the appearance and consistency of bread and wine.” (Wikipedia)
First, it is a doctrine that is spoken of nowhere in scripture, and therefore did not originate with God, Christ, or the Bible writers guided by the Holy Spirit. It had its origin in the doctrines and commandments of men. In about 150, Justin Martyr first suggested the concept. In about 200 AD, Tertullian argued that the bread and wine had to be more than just representatives of the body and blood of Jesus. But it wasn’t until 380 AD that the Apostolic Constitutions written by early Catholic scholars advocated that disciples begin calling the bread and wine the body and blood of Christ. By 397 AD, Ambrose of Milan codified the current doctrine of transubstantiation in print. Finally, in 1215 AD, the Fourth Council of the Lateran made it official doctrine of the Catholic Church that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Jesus while retaining the appearance of bread and wine. It is a doctrine of men and not from God.
Second, Jesus did not say that the bread and cup become His body and blood. He said they were the “new covenant” of His body and blood. “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matt. 26:28) “And He said to them, This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.” (Mark 14:24) “Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20) “In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (1Cor. 11:25)
Third, the apostle Paul spoke of the representative nature of the bread and cup of the body and blood of Jesus. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1Cor. 10:16) The inspired apostle also said the bread and wine is to be eaten and drunk in remembrance of Jesus, not that it actually became Jesus. “…do this in remembrance of Me. In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (1Cor. 11:24-26) Notice that he said as you eat this bread and cup, not as you eat the body and blood.
In short, the doctrine of transubstantiation has no substance in scripture. It is a doctrine of men who were not authorized by God to teach it.
Interest on the Widow’s Mites
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). It is estimated that if the widow’s mite had been deposited at the “First National Bank, Jerusalem” to draw four percent interest semi-annually, the fund today would total $4,800,000,000,000,000,000,000. If a bank on earth could multiply the widow’s mite to such an astronomical figure, think what treasures this dedicated woman will have in heaven where “moth and rust doth not corrupt.” (From Bible Illustrator)
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matt. 6:26).
Said the Robin to the Sparrow,
“I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and hurry so.”
Said the Sparrow to the Robin,
“Friend, I think that it must be
That they have no Heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me.”
(By Elizabeth Cheney)
Be Still and Know
It’s easy to whine when the road seems long,
And rugged the hill ahead;
And you’d like to forsake the rocky path
Where the feet of men have bled.
But the task is yours, and the journey long,
And the weary miles you have trod –
But a courage comes from the whispered voice
Be still, and know that I am God.
It’s easy to quit when the storm beats down
And you feel the stinging rain
Or your back bends low ‘neath a heavy load
As your body writhes in pain.
On those dreary days, or the lonesome nights,
When you meet with the chastening rod
A soft voice whispers weary one
Be still, and know that I am God
It’s easy to fret when the path ahead
Held little of hope in store,
And you’ve prayed for light on the darkened trail
As you’ve never prayed before.
Discouraged, despondent, ready to quit
And you’ve yearned for the velvet sod
And a bit of rest on the valley breast
Be still, and know that I am God
Yea, Calvary’s road was a rugged road,
But He walked it all alone
And the load He bore was a heavy load
For the cross was all His own.
Forsaken, rejected, He climbed the hill
And friendless the road he trod
But His heart was cheered by the whispered words;
Be still, and know that I am God